Draft-indicator.



J. MAHER.

DRAFT INDICATOR.

lAPPLICATION man 1uLY 6.1914.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Jal/rc@ of (Yarn/wf 5Z\ af foms'zdwf TMF l the following is JOHN MAHER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

DRAFT-INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application le. July 6, 1914. Serial No. 849,362.

T0 all'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN MAHER, a citizen of the United States, residingat Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Draft-Indicators, of which a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions. l

My invention is adapted toafford the means for knowing at some particular time the existing draft of a vessel. in a vconstruction designed to fulfil, in a modified manner, the inventive principle shown, described and claimed4 in my cepending application under like title iled January 31, 1914, Serial No. 815,689.

Aside of improvements inrespect to sundry details, the object of this conception is to make possible an. automatically varying indication of the character stated. Consonantly', the feature which primarily distinguishes my present invention from the earlier one is the provision of a wholly automatic control instead of a coperating manual control.

Further than what has already been suggested perhaps, the chief difference between this and my earlier idea lies 'in the disclosure here of one particular mode of practising my invention so as to involve the employment of but a single line connection.

In practice it will seldom be necessary to follow variations in draft beyond the extent of four feet which I have chosen to illustrate. Ordinarily close indications representing divisions in inches or half inches over a single foot will suiiice. When, however, either the fore or aft section of a'boat is vfor the time being loaded considerablyv in excess of the other, it is desirable not to wholly lose track of the draft of such other relatively elevated section. Accordingly I have divided the upper two of the four feet upon the selected scale into inches, these being the ones which are to encompass the usual or maximum loaded line. These two upper feet are each furnished with twelve electric terminals corresponding each with a like division of a foot upon a dial say, in the pilot house and to one side or the other of the predetermined loadedi draft limit tlhereon. The next lower foot -has four three inch divisions each provided with a It consists terminal, while the bottom of the four feet divisions upon the scale has two equispaced terminals which are six inches apart.

When it is preferred to have a continuously changing automatic indication of the progressive alterations in the draft of a vessel while running in comparatively shallow' water or during loading or unloading, a suitable type of ammeter operatively connected with the automatic float control will answer when properly calibrated with reference to the actual draft indicia of the vessel. While under ordinary circumstances it is possible to deliver a substantially constant E. M. F. or sufliciently so for most y, purposes, I have preferred to make impossible a deviation from the absolute accuracy I claim for my; invention by providing means for adjusting the calibration of the ammeter to compensate for any variation in electric energy existing at the time a reading is to be relied upon.

The inventive conception is associated with means which are hereinafter explained andy variously combined in y the claims. While the annexed drawing and particular description thereof, jointly set forth in detail a preferred form embodying my invention, it should be understood that the means only exemplifies one of many diversified mechanical forms with which the principle of my invention may be properly applied.

Adverting to the drawings:

Figure I is a diagrammatic representation of my invention.

Fig. II is an enlarged view (partly sectioned and partly in elevation and also broken in two places) of the mechanism which is to be automatically controlled by the draft of the vessel.

Fig. IIIl is a section on line III-III of Fig. II looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. IV is a section on line IV-IV of Fig. II looking downwardly.

Fig. V is a side view of one detail of Fig. I with a portion of its casing removed to disclose the interior mechanism.

A. flat standard 1 having fashioned thereon an upwardly extending graduated scale representing feet and inches is intended to be set u either in the bow, stern or amidships o the vessel. Mounted in any approved manner (not shown) in front of the scale on the standard 1 are a pair of supporting rods 2 upon which I prefer to attach the automatic'control mechanism so as to be' capable of vertical adjustment. Such attachment I effect by means'of a bracket 3 'having openingsA through which the two rods 2 extend. The bracket 3 is also provided forwardlyv with a'considerably larger circular opening, The adjustment of the bracket 3 so as to assume various fixed positions along the rods 2 may be accomplished by means of a pair of thumb-screws 4 extending therethrough to engage such rods. A water container 5, usually a glass tube, is shown mounted in the customary manner between end supports 6 and 6 which engage the top and bottom thereof respectively with a water tight fit. These supports 6 and are formed W1th integral ducts 7 and 7 adapted to communicate with opposite ends of the tube 5. The supports 6 and 6 are connected to each other through the medium of securing rods 8, and the arrangement in this exemplificati'on is such that exactly four feet of tube 5v is exposed. The open end of the upper duct 7 communicates through a lateral opening 9 in the bracket `3 whereby the tube 5 is carried by the bracket 3 to assume the various positions to which the latter may have been adjusted. The lower duct 7 similarly communicates through a lateral opening 10 in a collar 11 having a screw-threaded opening below in which a hollow screwthreaded plug 12 is seated. Communicating through the plug 12 is a flexible connection 13 adapted to connect with a seacock.

A tube 14 corresponding in diameter with the larger opening in the bracket is adapted to extend therethrough and be seated in the collar 11 so as to have lateral communication through a pair of openings with the ducts 7 as clearly shown in Fig. II. Itwill be apparent, therefore', that vwater can be permitted to seek its level both within the tube 5 and withinthe tube 14. A lhollow annular member 15 having also a lateral opening adapted to register with the opening 9 and hence with the duct 7, is fixedly mounted interiorly of the tube 14 by means of three screws 1,6 as indicated in Figs. II and III. This member is vintended to serve as a support for a plurality o f superposed metal tubular sections of various height and which sections when properly insulated from each other by washers all of which are indicated as 17, and spaced from the tube 14, as will be later described, are intended to serve as electric terminals. The two lowermost sec- -tions 18 are each six inches in length and together correspondwith the lowermost of the four feet covered by the tube 5. According to the exemplication of Fig. I, the sections 184correspond each with six inches rise of the i water level between the actual draft of 16 and 17 feet. Connected with the middle of each of the sections 18 isa binding post 18 extending outwardly through the tube 14 vwhen the Heat is in its most elevated with a resistance coil r3. Superposed in turn with regard to the sections 18 and 19 are twenty-four sections- 20, each one an inch in height and each similarly connected with a post 20. The lowermost of the posts 20 is connected in series-with the upper of the posts 19 with a reduced resistance coil r2. All the restof the posts 20 are connected in series with lesser resistance coils 1", that is, with resistance coils offering one-third the resistance of the coils r3 and one-sixth of the resistance of the coils r6. After all the sections have been superposed upon the member 15 and each insulated from the one adjacent to it they maybe held in place by a plaster of Paris filling 2l. The upper end of the tube 14 is supplied with a cover 22 having a small central opening 23.

A float 24 somewhat smaller in circumference than the tube 14 is adapted for movement below the member 15. The top of the4 fioat carries an insulating collar 25 having a depression 26 above, in which a tube 27 is fixedly mounted. The tube 27 is of considerable length to correspond approximately with the combined extent of all of the sections 18, 19 and 20. At `its upper end the spring member 29 provided with a hook 30 normally tending to also engage the intericr -tube 27 carries three spring fingers 28 adaptsurface of one or the other of the sections 18,

19 or 20. A wire 31 of indeterminate length is connected with one pole of a source'of constant E. M. F., `32 such that its free extremity extends downwardly through the opening 23 in the cover 22 and through the tube 27 to a point near the bottom thereof,

pos1- tion. The wire 31 is engaged by the hook 30 Y whereby a rubbing connection therebetween is assured as will be readily understood. The other pole ofthe source of constant electrical energy is connected with the armature 33 of van ammeter 34. This armature-carries a pointer or index finger 35 adapted to oscillate. across an arcuate scale 36 divided into feet and inches as shown in Fig. I. In order to permit of an adj ustment of the calibration of the scale 36 with respect to the actual draft graduations of the vessel, I have mounted the scale for movement between two brackets 38 and 39. Upon the rear of the and the inner end of the thumb screw carries. a pinion 42 adapted to mesh with the gear.

segment 40. In this manner .the rotation of lthe thumb screw 41 permitsof a limitedad- )ustment of the scale 36,with reference to any particular position of' the pointer 35. The armature is also connected in series by I means of a wire 43 with the uppermost of the 4coils 7".

In operation, as the float rises, the spring lingers 28 successively engage different of gerously shallow water.

suficient thoroughness,

the sections and therefore successively reduce the amount of resistance through which vthe current is compelled to pass whereby the pointer 35 is permitted to climb in corresponding degree. By watching, the ammeter" it would therefore be possible to have a continuous record -not only of the momentary draft but of any momentary variation due to various causes. In case one had reason to doubt whether the calibration wa-s'still accurate owing to a variation in the measure vof electrical ,energysupplied, it would merely be necessary to learn the' actual level of' the water in the tube 5 and hence the actual draft of the vessel below the point where the particular instrument hadbeen set upand then ascertain whether the indication ofthe pointer 35 was correct, A slight manipulation of the thumb screw il can readily reestablish a precise calibra tion.v y t A My .invention should commend itself to the Government as a safeguard against unintentional approach shoreward or into dan- When" the oiiicer to reassure. himself as to depth of outlined channel, hehas merely to observe -the ammeter indication. If he discovers that the draft of his vessel under given speed. is progressively exceeding thatwhich has been initially established, such lcircumstance may be justifiably construed as a warning. 1

My invention being thus described with what I desire to secure by Letters Patent an specifically, is :v

in .charge desires the approximate l. A draft indicator comprising the combination with a vessel, of an electric circuit including a source of energy, a wire, a scale in one part of said circuit and having divisions correspondingwith graduated draft indicia of the vesselA respectively, a second scale superposed in a row in another part of saidl 'circuit and having terminals correspondin with said divisions respectively and seriaIly connected in said circuit, a member adapted to move over one of said scales, a switch member adapted togplay over said .terminals,and automatically op# erating means controlled by the draft of ries,

controlled by the draftA of the vessel and.

minal, a w1re d therefore claim ries,

the vessel and adapted simultaneously to move said switch along said 'row and wire whereby .to actuate said member `together with it over corresponding divisions and'- terminals for the useful purpose specified.

2. A draft indicator comprising the comdevice provided with graduations corresponding with the Vdraft of the vessel and a movable'pointe'r, a water container having open communication through the vessel andv provided, with a plurality of terminals corresponding with certain of said graduations respectively, said terminals having varying resistance elements connected in seand an automatically operating switch adapted to engage said terminals whereby V,

the extent of movementof said pointer is controlled in accordance with the resistance factor.

3L A draft indicator comprising the combination with a vessel, of an electric circuit .including in series;- a source of energy, a

signal, a tube in. communication through such vessel and provided with a terminal,

and provided with a spring finger adapted lto engage said terhollow member, and a catch'upon the latter adapted to frictionally engage said wire.

A draft indicator comprising the combination with a vessel, of an electric cir-l cuit including in series; -an ammeter, a source of energy, a signal, a water container adapted to have open communication through the vessel, and provided with a pair of terminals, said terminals being connected by a resistance element likewise serially connected, and means including a float in said container for automatically eecting contact with one or the other of said terminals whereby to vary the resistance and automatically control the reading of said ammeter.

5. A draft indicator comprising the combination with'a vessel, of an electric circuit` including in series; a wire connected with one pole thereof, a source of energy, an ammeter calibrated to read in inches, a water container inclosing the end of said wire having vcommunication through the vessel, said container being provided with terminals corresponding'lwith inch draft graduations of the Vessel, equal resistance elements connecting said terminals in sea float in said container and a duplex device carried by. said ioat and adapted rictionally to engage said terminals and wire wherebyl to actuate said ammeter.

6. A draft indicator comprising the combination with a vessel, of an electric circuit including a^source of a normally conloosely extending into said iso stant E. M. F., a water container adapted to have open communication through the lhull of the vessel, said container being pro- .vided with terminals corresponding with 7. A draft indicator comprising the combination with a vessel, of an electric -circuit lncluding '1n' ser1es; a source' of energy, a signal, a tube 1n communication through l such vessel and provided with a plurality of terminals, a WireLirloat in said tube having an upwd `extension, and'means carriedrby said'extension and adapted simultaneously to engage said wire and one of said terminals.

8.,. A draft indicator comprising the'c0mbination with a Vessel, of an electric circuit including in series; a source of energy, a signal,4 a tube 1n communication through such vessel and provided with a row of terminals, a float in said tube having an upward extension, a 11ne wire extending indicate lineal measurement along said extension in the general direction of alinement of said row of terminals,v

a spring finger adapted to -frict-ionally engage said terminals, and a device yieldingly engaging said wire.

9. A draft indicator comprising the combination with a vessel, of an elongated contact member, an upright tube in communication with the exterior, a series of terminals carried thereby and insulated from each other, a oat in said tube and constantly connected with said contact mem berand adapted to close the circuit between saidl member and any Vone of said terminals, resistances interposed between and connecting said termina-ls, a source of electrical energy in series circuit with said contact member and said resistances, and an'ammeter also connected in series with the contact member and said resistances lwhereby movements of said float are automatically indicated upon said ammeter.

Signed'by me, this 24th day of June, 1914. JOHN MAHER. `Attested by- MARY COLEMAN,

W. L. Samnaun. 

